VOX Update Issue No 401
Coronavirus and mental health research
Can you help to shape future mental health policy as we recover from the pandemic?
SAMH want to hear from you. You can take part in our latest research if you live in Scotland, are over 16 and receive mental health support from your GP or any other mental health professional, or have been referred for support at any time since January 2019. Find out more here.

One third of UK public says their mental health has deteriorated as a result of the pandemic
A nationwide survey commissioned by the Royal College of Psychiatrists reveals the devastating impact of the pandemic on the nation’s mental health, with one in three (29%) adults reporting their mental health deteriorated over the past two years. The UK-wide poll of 2,247 people suggests those with pre-existing mental health problems have been hit hardest – 81% said their mental health had deteriorated compared with two years ago. Adults with a disability and those with prior physical health problems reported poorer mental health – 52% of people with a disability and 41% of those with a pre-existing physical health condition said their mental health had deteriorated since 2020. The survey also found the pandemic affected people differently depending on their age - 42% of under 35s said their mental health had deteriorated compared with 10% of those aged 65 and above. More here.

National Lottery Community Fund Closures and Funding Review
Following a delay due to COVID-19, The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) started the process of reviewing their funding offer and developing new programmes. The aim of the review is to ensure that they make best use of National Lottery funding to support communities to thrive in future. As part of this work, the Community Led and Improving Lives programmes will close to applications from Friday 30 September 2022 and the new portfolio will launch in early 2023.
National Lottery Awards for All, Young Start and Scottish Land Fund are not part of this review and will remain open to applications. Read more here.

A human rights approach to planning: why community-led development should be centre-stage
Two policies with huge public impacts will shortly be put before Holyrood: the Human Rights Bill, including the ‘right to adequate housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions’ [1]; and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which will direct planning across Scotland for the next 20 years. Neither policy mentions the other, nor considers how they could complement each other in principle or practice. The draft of NPF4 references protecting human rights, but does not mention the ‘right to adequate housing’– a key component of the Human Rights Bill. This is a missed opportunity. The human rights principles of non-discrimination, participation, transparency and accountability could apply equally to NPF4. For us, a clear and obvious way to put this into practice is to plant a community-led approach firmly at the core of both policies. Read more here.

Funding - Self-Management Fund opens 1st April
The second round of the Self-Management Fund: Resilience, Recovery and Development opens for applications on Friday. Third sector and community organisations in Scotland can apply for a grant of up to £60,000 for up to two years to support disabled people, people living with long term conditions and unpaid carers to self-manage. The Self-Management Fund is open for applications from Friday 1st April 2022 until 9am on Monday 27 June 2022. Find out more and how to apply.

Emotional CPR (eCPR) 2-Day Workshop
Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th May, 9.30am-5pm, Central Perth 
“Wonder what to do when someone is suffering acute emotional distress? Just as CPR can help someone having a cardiac crisis, emotional CPR is a way to assist anyone experiencing an emotional crisis. We are offering a two day eCPR training course. eCPR training is appropriate for anyone helping another person through emotional distress. No previous training is necessary. In an interactive setting, participants will practice some of the essential processes of eCPR, such as listening with our eyes, ears and heart to feel the person’s presence (Connecting), exploring the uncertainty of not knowing what is best, but  being open to collaborative  discovery (emPowering), and experiencing new life and new hope emanating from our vital centre (Revitalizing).”
 Cost £210. Contact PLUS 01738 626242 or info@plusperth.co.uk to book a place.

Gardening for Wellbeing
Trellis, Scottish based charity, is again hosting the popular online Seminar Series – featuring experts in gardening for wellbeing from across the globe and the UK. 
The 90-minute sessions are FREE to attend and the combination of practical demonstrations and illustrated presentations will appeal to those people in health, care, community and educational settings:

• Looking for activity ideas and interested in adapting gardening with their clients
• Understanding of the value of specific therapeutic gardening interventions
• Viewing the therapeutic gardening ‘landscape’ in UK as well as Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Iraq, India and Italy.

Attached are a selection of social media items, our press release and poster for the event for you to use and promote as you wish. You can book here.

Before it’s a Crisis
Here is a list of numbers you can phone for support when most services are closed. It is a good idea to keep these numbers where you can find them when you need support or help. Services such as Breathing Space and the Samaritans offer a listening service. Social Work and the NHS are more appropriate if you need more than this. Some services may not be available during the current pandemic.
NHS24 111 www.nhs24.com
Samaritans 116 123
Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (Mon to Thurs 6pm - 2am)
(Fri to Mon 6pm - 6am)
Cruse Bereavement Care 0845 600 2227 www.crusebereavement.org.uk
Saneline 0300 304 7000
Beat (Formerly Eating Disorders Association) Helpline 0345 634 1414, Youth line 0345 634 7650
LGBT  Our LGBT Helpline Scotland (phone, email, LiveChat) operates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12-9pm), with extended phone support on Thursdays (12-6pm) and soon Sunday (12-6pm). The telephone number is 0300 123 2523 they can also be contacted by e-mail or LiveChat Messenger at https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/helpline/ “We are still here for you - we have suspended face to face services and events, but we are not stopping our work!” You’ll find an update about LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s services here: LGBT Health Coronavirus: Information and Service updates All our staff are now home working and we can all be reached on our work emails: name@lgbthealth.org.uk
 
Emergency Social Work Service 0800 731 6969 (out of hours only)
Alzheimer’s Scotland 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline on
0808 808 3000 or contact the E-Helpline at helpline@alzscot.org
Ayrshire out of Hours Service free phone number is 0800 328 7758
LGBT Youth Scotland www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
Brothers in Arms was launched as an awareness-raising website to represent men in Scotland and to start the conversation about male suicide, the single biggest killer of men in the UK under the age of 45. info@brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk
 
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
0800 027 1234 (24-hour service)
Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse.
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
 
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0300 999 5428 or 0800 999 5428
Provides help and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline